The Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center in Suffolk will be home to two new projects that are funded through GO Virginia grants.

Almost $1.3 million from the Growth and Opportunity for Virginia fund will be split between two projects, the Virginia Cyber Alliance and the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program.

VMASC is a research center at the Old Dominion Tri-Cities Campus on University Boulevard.

“GO Virginia encourages regional collaboration among businesses, government entities and education partners in support of our shared economic goals,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a press release. “To achieve long-term economic growth and create high-paying jobs, we must capitalize on the strengths of our regional economies and connect Virginians with the skills employers are looking for — I’m confident that each of these projects will do just that.”

The Cyber Alliance, formerly known as the Hampton Roads Cyber Co-Lab, will have its Digital Entrant program developed at VMASC.

The project will be a benefit to those who are transitioning out of the military and recent college graduates. There will be opportunities to intern with firms that specialize in cybersecurity, data analytics and Unmanned Systems and Aerospace.

The Virginia Cyber Alliance at VMASC will consist of online platforms, industry partnerships, a virtual demonstration environment for cyber security analysis modules and a work-based learning initiative.

The project was awarded $642,713 through GO Virginia.

VMASC will also be involved with the Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program. The program will be a regional and statewide shipbuilding curriculum and co-lab facility to train about 8,500 current and future workers in the shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing field.

This program will help to expand existing workforce development programs. At VMASC, those involved at the shipyard will have the opportunity to receive industry-recognized credentials that are relevant to shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing and modeling and simulation industries.

The project was awarded $647,540 through GO Virginia.

“The regional approach of GO Virginia is continuing to spur innovative ideas and strategies throughout the Commonwealth,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said in a press release. “These projects will help the regions fill the talent pipeline in key industries for each region and the Commonwealth, including advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding and computer science.”

The third and final project that received funding from GO Virginia is for the Center for Energy Research and Education Additive Manufacturing Partnership Lab at Liberty University. The project received $274,980 in funding.